The School of Education and Languages (E&L) at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) hosted the NextGen Empowerment Forum for the Greater Bay Community on 1 February 2026. The event was held in collaboration with HKMU Trilingual Toastmasters Club and Toastmasters International District 89, bringing together educators, professionals, and young leaders from across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The forum began with a welcoming speech by Prof. Andy Chin Chi-on, Dean of the School, who extended a warm welcome to participants from multiple GBA regions. In his remarks, he highlighted HKMU's dedication to nurturing confident, articulate, and globally minded communicators through multilingual education and leadership development.
A key highlight of the forum was the keynote speech by the Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking 2025 – Mr. Sabyasachi Sengupta, who shared professional insights and personal experiences on crafting impactful speeches, overcoming self-doubt and using storytelling to inspire change. The champion's sharing underscored the global standard of excellence represented at the event and offered participants a rare opportunity to learn directly from a world-class role model in public speaking.
More than 250 attendees participated in this dynamic event, which featured the World Public Speaking Champion keynote speech, interactive sharing sessions, and panel discussions on youth empowerment, public speaking, and leadership and community development. Distinguished Toastmasters and education professionals shared insights on personal growth, communication competence, and community engagement within the evolving socio-cultural landscape of the Greater Bay Area.
The NextGen Empowerment Forum served as a valuable platform for cross-regional dialogue, encouraging participants to cultivate effective communication skills and leadership qualities to contribute meaningfully to future community development.
